Introduction
Michael Collins was born on October 16, 1890 in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland. He was the youngest of 8 children born to Michael and Marianne O’Brien. Michael’s father was 60 when he married the young Marianne in 1875. Michael was six years old when his father died while in his death bed that his son would do great things for Ireland. Michael at a young age was very passionate about nationalism. When he was fifteen he went to London and while there he stayed with his oldest sister. While there he studied at King’s College and worked for the post office. In 1909 when Micheal was 19 he was introduced to the Irish Republican Brotherhood, a secret society dedicated to achieving Irish independence. After joining the IRB Michael left his job at the post office and went to work for a stock broking company.